Mike McCarthy won’t be in official consideration for the Chicago Bears job just yet.
The Dallas Cowboys denied the Bears’ request to interview McCarthy for their head coaching job on Tuesday afternoon, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. While McCarthy’s status with the Cowboys is still uncertain, the team clearly isn’t ready to give up their negotiating window for him just yet.
ESPN Source: The Dallas Cowboys denied permission to the Chicago Bears to interview their head coach Mike McCarthy.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 8, 2025
McCarthy is under contract with the Cowboys through Jan. 14, which is when his initial five-year deal with the team expires. Until then, the Cowboys have exclusive negotiating rights with him. If they don’t strike a deal by then, the Bears — or any other team in the league — could opt to interview McCarthy.
So while this doesn’t shut down the idea of McCarthy leading Caleb Williams and the Bears next season, it stalls it for at least another week.
The Bears are searching for a replacement for Matt Eberflus, who they fired earlier this season.
This post will be updated with more information shortly.
